Apparatus for the manufacture of illuminating-gas.



N0- 827,075. 1 PATENTED JULY 31, 1906.

G. W. BILFINGER.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ILLUMINATING GAS. APPLICATION FILED mm: 22, 1904.

I 6 SHEBTSSHEET 1.

N0. 827,075. PATENTED JULY 31, 1906- G. W. BILFINGER. APPARATUS FOR THE-MANUFACTURE 0F ILLUMINATING GAS.

APYLIOATION FILED mm: 22, 1904.

6 QHEBTS-SHEET 2.

N0. 827,075. PATENTBD JULY 31, 1906. G. W. BILFINGER.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ILLUMINATING GAS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22. 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

M who PATENTED JULY 31, 1906.

0. W. BIL GER. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFA APPLICATION PIN CTURE OF ILLUMINATING GAS. ILED J NBZZ 190 W if v ill REA PATENTED JULY 31, 1906.

C. W. BILPINGER.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ILLUMINATING GAS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22, 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

IIIIIIIIIII II l 5 I v f 5 5 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 4 "un- "um-W C. W. BILFINGBR.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ILLUMINATING GAS.

' APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22, 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

PATENTED JULY 3171906.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- CARL W. BlLFINGER. OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- FOURTH TO COLUMBIA ENGINEERING WORKS, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK, AND ONE-SIXTEENTH TO ABSALOM P. BAOHMAN, OF

NEW YORK, N. Y.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 31, 1906.

Application filed June 22,1904. Seriallio- 213,678.

' facture of Illuminating-Gas, of which the foldistillation in suc lowing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying-drawings, illustrating the apparatus constructed according to my invention. f I This invention relates to a paratus for producing illuminating-gas. by 'stilling carbonaceous substances, preferably whatis generally known in the southern pine belt as lightwood; and it consists of; the hereinafter-described improved construction of such ap aratus.

eretofore illuminating-gas has been produced as one of the by-products of destructive distillation of wood in retorts, the object of such destructive distillation being to recover the pine-oils contained in the carbonaceous material. p

The object of this invention is to produce gas as the main product, to economically utilize for that purpose all volatile i redientsof the .raw material that are ca a leof being converted into fixed gases, an to produce gas of good illuminating quality of material which is poorer in fatty or oily ingredients, and consequently not economically suitable for manufacture of pine-oils and the like; and to that end my improved apparatus come prises an oven and retort for distilling the carbonaceous material and in combination therewith means for reheating the-volatile products of the distillation, whereby the vapors of "oily ingredients produced by the condensed in the conduits and reservoirs into fixed ases, thus effecting the utilization in the manu acture of the gas of those oily ingredients of the carbonaceous materials that ive it the requislte illuminating capacity, ren erin it suitable for use as illuminating-gas.

y invention comprises also means foreliminating from the thus roduced gas all carbonic 'acid and otheraci nous ingredients s ucedbycombiningwithitnaphthaleneunder which; -afle ct detrimentally its illuminating I "conditions resulting in permanent and safe absorbing of this ingredient by the illuminatingfas y the. above-mentioned drawings, Fi ure .1 is an elevation part1 sectional view 0 an apparatus constructe according'to my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view, and Fig. 3 an end elevation thereo 'Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view, partly elevation, of that part of the a paratus where the crude gas is roduced. ig. 5 is a cross-sectional view t ereof on line 5' 5 indicated in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an elevation, on an enlarged scale, of that part of the apparatus where the crude as is treated to separatethe condensable om the unoondensable ingredients thereof and to eliminate from it carbonic acid and other aciduous impurities. Fig. '7 is a sectionalview, partly elevation, of a modified construction of the condenser and purifier. Fi v8 is a detail plan view of one of the dis tri uting-sieves used in the condenser and purifier. Fig. 9 is a sectional view, partly elevation, of that art of the apparatus where the gas produced is treated to effect the combination of naphthalene therewith.

The arrangement of the severalparts of the apparatus, as shown in Figs. .1 and.2, is to my understanding the most convenient for the operation of such'a plant; but excepting the successive .co-location of the several parts the exact arrangement or plan shown in the drawings is not essential. The generator (shown in an enlarged view in Fig. 4) comprises the oven 9, preferably built of brick, a cylindrical retort 10, and the gas-conduit 11 set therein; the 015 or cartridge 12, set in the retort, the e-box 13,

chimney 14, flues, and other auxiliaries. state that they would be Y The oven comprises fire-box 13, with a grate 15 ,ash-pit 16, and a chamber 17, wherein the retort 10 and the'regenerating-conduit 11. are ermanently set up. The retort 10 is prefera ly 'an iron vessel cylindrical in shape,

. suitable means. At t e bottom end of the quality and, for enriching'the gas thus pro-" retort an aperture 20 is rovided, with which the regenerating con uit 11 connects by means of pipe 21. Fipe, 21 is extended be yond the wall of the oven and is closed, pref-' erably by a plug 22, screwed in its end. This pipe is smaller and inclined in a direction away from the retort to facilitate the outflow of liquids resultin from the condensation of some of the ingre ients of the product of distillation. This'pipe 21 may be used for inj ecting live steam into the gas-generating apparatus and serves also to introduce implements for removing from the, bottom of the retort such tarry substances and smudge as may accumulate therein. For this latter purpose the u er end of regenerating-conduit 11 is closediby'a similar plug 23. Chamber 17 may contain one or more of such retorts. If more retorts are used, each is to be provided with a separate regenerating-conduit 11, which are then joined into one conduit some distance above the top of the retort. For each retort there is provided an iron pot or cartridge 12. This is a cylindrical drum of considerably smaller diameter than the retort and also shorter, is open on the top, and

rovided with a bail or other suitable means ror attaching itto the hook of a derrick "K,

provided for better mani ulating it when setting it in the retort an lifting it out a ain when the distillation is completed. on- .duit 11 is carried upward from ipe 21 and along the retort within the chain er 17 of the oven and for some distance above the top of the oven, where it is joined to conduit 24, conveying the product of distillation (the crude gas) to the condenser and purifier.

The object of'the described arrangement of the cartridge within the retorts and of the regenerating-conduit 11 Within the chamber of the oven is to effectareheatingor regenerating process. and to subject the crude product of distillation to a higher degree of heat than the raw material is required to be subjected .to to produce it. By'this arrangement the decomposition of such ingredients of the raw material that would result in producing gases of low illuminating capacity and containing a large percentage of carbonic acid and other aciduous impurities is obviated, and the varoduct of distillation is acted upon by the heat of the combustion-gases passing)throu h the chamber to. the chimney-flue, ein ivrectlyin contact with the heated shell 0 the .retort 10 a and the regenerating-conduit 11,

while the raw material from which this product of distillation was obtained is, so to say, insulated from the direct action of the combustion-gases, subjected only to such heat as penetrates to the cartridge 12 through the vapors and gases surrounding it in the interior of the retort. By this means I obtain, primarily, only such ingredients of the distilled material as are converted into vapors and gases at a lower temperature and are consequentlg free from substances producing gases of 0 same time I am enabled to subject the roduct of distillation to just such a degree 0 heat asis required to convert its vaporous ingredientsinto fixed gases-and toeffect this by merely regulating the furnace-fire accordingly. The result of this arrange'ment is a igTas rich in illuminating ingredients, nearly ee from all carbonic acid and other such impurities, and the obtainin of this most desirable and .essential resu t by the simple means of so proportioning the furnace and regulating the fire to produce such heat as is required to convert the condensable prodnets of distillation into fixed gases.

The regenerated product of distillation flows throughconduit 24 into the purifier and condenser. (Shown in enlar ed View in Fig. 6.) This part of my improve apparatus-comprises a closed tank 25, into whichthe conduit 24enters some distance below the top of the tank. The roduct-of-distillationis led in by means oft e elbow 52,-set in the interior of the tankand connecting with the 'conduit 24 beneath the level ofythe liquidin the tank. The gas-outlet pipe 26- connects with the tank through an aperture in. the lid..

The purifying and condensing -medium is conducted into the tankthrough pipe 27 ,,entering through the lid of the tank and-connecting there witha perforated coil 28,-supported within the tank by suitable lugsaffixed to the lid of the tank. The overflowoutlet pipe 29. connectswitlr the tank at some distance from the bottom thereof andconveys the overflow-into a closedculvert30, from where. it is permitted to escape atv a level above the end of the outlet-pipe 2,9. This arrangement provides a .liquld seal for .the outlet-pipe. Another out1et311is provided in the ottom-of'the-tank to dischargefrom .it such heavy-,produots-of condensation as accumulate on the bottom, .beingof greater specific gravity than the liquid-used for. condensing. and purifying the crude gas. This outlet-pipe 3-1- is provided-with a-stop-eock 32, that serves toclose it except-when the; accumulated heavy products are being dis.-

- charged.

The puri 'ng and condensing medium may-beordinary water but it is preferable to .use hydrate of-lime, whichmore. effectively and rapidly eliminates from the crude {'gas carbomc-acidan'dother aciduousimpuritles.

w illuminating quality, and at the be constructed of wire or of perforated sheet hooks.

metal. on brackets 34 and are provided with eyelets or lugs 35 for handling them by means of If such sieves are to be used, the aperture for theinlet of. the purifying medium is preferablylocated in the center of the lid.

This arrangement (shown in Fig. 7) has the advantage over the erforated coil in that the latter is liable to c oggling of the small discharge-apertures for t e purifying medium by particles. of impurities that-may be contained in the hydrate of limeor in other re-' agents which may be used for thepurpose.

From thev purifier and condenser; apparatus the gas is conducted through pipe 26 to the reservoir Pipe 26 is preferably bent to form. elbows, as shown in the drawings, so disposed that the, first horizontal run thereof is inclined toward the purifying apparatus and the second toward theclosed receptacle C, wherewith the vertical run of the pipe com- -municatesby branch 53. This arrangement is not essential. It is, however, convenient and desirable in that it prevents the accumulation in the conduits of any liquids. Such liquids as accumulate in the closed receptacle C are withdrawn from time to time by using pump P. This ump is also used for withdrawing all con ensation from the conduits The gas discharged into the reservoir D is ready for, use and will be found of sufficient illuminating capacity for ordinary purposes.

when steam is used in-the generator, as stated When gas of higher illuminating capacity 1s increasing the illuminating required, the ap aratus illustrated on an enlarged scale in ig. .9 is em loyed. It comprises a tank 36, (shown in ig. 2,) a tank 37,

connected with-tank 36 by conduit 38, a gas.

inlet conduit 39, a-gas-outlet conduit 40, and the auxiliary devices referred to farther on. The substance employed in the apparatus for capacity of the gas is naphthalene, which use dissolved in naphtha, making approximatl a fifty-percent. solution thereof. This soliltion is-filled in tank 36 and is admitted through conduit 38 into tank 37 Conduit 38 enters tank 37 approximately about the middle of its height and is provided with a stop-cock- 54 to regulate the fiow as required. i

The gas-inlet conduit 39, connecting with the gas-holder D, enters tank 37 through'its top'and extends downward near its bottom, while the gas-outlet conduit 40 extends only a short distance into the space above the liquid in the tank. The gas-inlet conduit 18 They are supported within the tank cartr dge is inserted therein.

verted into fixed gases.

provided with a valve 41 and the gas-outlet conduit with valve 42 for stopping and starting andfor regulating the flow of the gas through the ap aratus. An outlet-aperture 43 for the liqui in the tank is provided at a level to leave a clear space above the liquid for the gas rising through the naphthalene solution. The outflow-aperture 43 is connected by pipe 61, provided with stop-cock 44, with a closed tank or culvert 45 placed below the tank 37 and connected with it also by an outletipe 46, set closely to the bottom of the tan 37. This pipe 46 is provided with stop-cock 47 and serves for drawing off the solution from the tank 37 when the operation is completed or when the tank is required to be cleaned. For this latter .purpose a manholeis provided in the top of tank 37, closed by lid 48, tightly fitted thereon, and secured in position by a screw-threaded flange or by other suitable means.

' The reservoir 45 is connected by pi e 49 with a pump 55, discharging into tan 36. This overflowing liquid is a weak solution of naphtahlene in gasolene, and by adding from time to time a proportionate quantity of naphthalene into the tank 36 the apparatus may be used continuously for a long period. The gas passing from. the apparatus through the pipe 40 is discharged into conduits conveying it to the places where it is used.

The manufacture of illuminating-gas is carried on in this a paratus, as follows: The wood or other carli onaceous material from which the gas is to beproduced is filled into the cartridge 12 and the cartridge is set into the retort I approximately concentrically therewith. Then the lid 18 is secured in its place upon the retort by bolts 19. Betterresults from distillation are obtained if the retort and regenerating-conduit 11 are heated to'approximately 650 Fahrenheit before the The gases and va ors emanating from the charge of materia flow from the open top end of the cartrid'ge and are -drawn downwardly throu hthe space 50 toward the aperture 20 in t e travel the gases and va'pors are exposed to a higher degree of heat than the raw material from which they were extracted, whereby the vapors of most of the lighter oils are con- This crude gas is discharged into the hydrate of lime, (or other urifying and condensingmedium) where the eavier vapors not converted into fixed gases condense. The fixed as rises andescapes into the space above t 'e level of the liquid. While thus assing1 upward the gas is met'by the spray o a fres supply of hydrate of lime dri ping from the apertures of the coil 28. This absorbs all carbonic acid and assists in the condensation of any vapors that may yet be contained therein. The purified gas escapes through conduit 26 into the reservoir where it is kept for use. This apparatus serves also as controller for the-regulation. of fire in the furnace. If the overflow discharge from the purifier and condenser contain oils whose vapors may be converted into fixed gas, this is an indication that the heat maintained in the oven is-not sufficient, and, again, ifthe heavy ingredient inthe purifier and condenser appears tocontaincarbonized matter that isan indication that a too high heat is maintained in the oven. These discharges shouldbe examined after starting the apparatus from time to time and. also at intervals during the continuation. of the process; but it is not necessar to make them very frequently, except if ifi'erent kinds of materials are used.

, The apparatus for enhancingthe illuminating capacity of the gas is set in operation' only when the gas is being consumed. To that end the valve. 54 of. the na hthalene-inlet pipe is opened and the tan 37 is filled with. the solution to the level of the outflowpipe 43. Then valve 41 of thegas-inlet pipe is opened; The-pressure upon the gas in the reservoir D forces the gas into the tank 37, the gas escapingfrom the open end-ofthe gasoutlet pipe at the bottom of the. tank. 1 The passing of the gas through the naphthalene keeps the solution agitated, so that it will not settle. The gas is at the same time distrib uted. in small uantities, and thus brought in contact with t e naphthalene under themost favorable conditions for absorbing it. During this rocess the inflow of naphthalene is regulated according to the quantity of gas passing through the apparatus. I This is done lnflow.

What I claim .is-

1. Apparatus. for producing illuminatin gas from carbonaceous materials having, in

combination, a heat-flue su plied with heat through a lateral opening t erein; a vertical cylindrical retort within said flue and resting upon the bottom thereof; a gas-conduit within said flue, communicating with said retort at its lower extremity by a pipe, an outlet communicatin with said pi e, its end being normally close b means 0 a plug; a lid for the retort where y the same may be closed; a cylindrical cartridge, designed to contain the carbonaceous material, said cartridge being closed at its lower andopen-at its upper extremity, and being of such diameter as to be received endwise into-said retort, and when-therein to rest upon the bottom thereof and. to have its outer surface spaced at some distance from the inner surface of said retort, and to communicate directly through its I open end with the interior of said retort; a

bail at the upper extremity of said cartridge adapted to coiiperate Wit ing-from a derrick positioned above said reby properly setting valve 5,4, regulating the.

combination, a heat-flue, means for su a hook depend tort said flue, retort and cartridgebeing .so

associated that the cartridge is at no time subjected to any material heat except such as is communicated to it through the space intervening between said. cartridge and the enveloping retort, the lateral surface only of said retort being at any time subjecte material'heat. I

2. Apparatus fpr producing illuminatinggas from carbonaceous material having,v in combination, a heat-flue having a. lateral opening therein; means for supplying heat to said. flue through said lateral opening-;.a Vertical cylindrical retort Within said flue and resting upon the bottom thereofi; a. gas-conduit within said: flue communicating with said'retort atits lower end by a pipe; an outlet communicating with. said pipe, its end" being normally closed by a plug; a lid for the retort whereby the same may be closed; acylindrical cartridge, containing the carbonaceous material and constituting the carrier therefor, said cartridge being closed: at its lower and. open atits upper extremity, and being constructed so as to be received endwise into saidretort; said cartridge, when. in said: re tort, resting upon the bottom thereofi and having its outer surface spaced at some distance from the inner surface of the retort;

said cartridge, when in said retort, communicating directly through its open end with the interior of said retort, so that gases issue ing from the 0 en end of the cartridge willienter directly t e s ace intervening between the cartridge, an retort and pass down through said space and out from the. retort by Way of the communication leading to the gas-conduit; a bail at the upper extremity of the cartridge to facilitate handling the same in its capacity of carrier for the carbonaceous material; said flue, retort and cartridge being so associated that the cartridge is at no time subjected to any material heat except such as is communicated to it through the space intervening between the cartridge and the enveloping retort, and through the gases contained in said space, thelateral surfaceonly of said retort being subjectedto ,material heat.

3. Apparatus for producing. illuminatinggas from carbonaceous. material having, 1in ing said flue with heat; a vertical cylin -ichl retort within said flue. and resting uponv the bottom thereof; a gas-conduit within said flue communicating with said retort at its lower end; an outlet communicating with said retort and conduit, its end being normally closed; a lid for the. retort-;'a:cartridge-containing the carbonaceous material and constituting the carrier therefor, said cartridge being closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, and being constructed so as to be received endwise into. said retort and to be readily removabletherefrom ,1 said cartridge,

when in said retort, having its outer surface spaced at some distance from the inner surface of the retort; said cartridge, when in said retort, communicating directly through its open end with the interior of said retort so that gases issuing from the open end of the cartridge will immediately enter the space intervening between the cartridge and retort; said flue, retort and cartridge being so associated that the cartridge is at no time subjected to any material heat except such as is communicated to it through the space intervening between said cartridge and the enveloping retort and through the gases contained in said space.

4. Apparatus for producing illuminatinggas from carbonaceous material having, in

combination, a heat-flue, means for supplying said flue with heat; a retort within said flue and resting upon the bottom thereof; a gas-conduit within said flue communicating with said retort; an outlet communicating with said retort and conduit, its end being normall closed; means for closing the retort; acartri e containing the carbonaceous material anfl constitutin the carrier therefor, said cartridge being 0 osed at one end and open at the other, and being constructed so as to be received into said retort and when therein to have its outer surface spaced at some distance from the inner surface of the retort; said cartridge, when in the retort, communicating directly through its open end with the interior of said retort so that gases issuing from the open end of the cartridge will immediately enter the space intervening between the cartrid e and retort; said flue, retort and cartridge eing so associated that the cartridge is at no time subjected to. any material heat except such as is communicated to it through the s ace intervening between the cartridge an the envelo ing retort and through the gases containe in said space.

5. Apparatus for producing illuminatinggas from carbonaceous material having, in combination, a heat-flue, means for supplying said flue with heat; a retort within said flue; a gas-conduit within said flue communicating with the retort; means for closing the retort; a cartridge containing the carbonaceous; material and constituting the carrier therefor, said cartridge having an aperture therein, and being constructed so as to be received into the retortand positioned-therein with its aperture remote from the point of communication between the retort and the conduit; said cartridge, when in the retort,

having its outer surface spaced at some distance from the inner surface of the retort; said cartridge, when in the retort, communicating directly through its aperturewith the interior of the retort so that gases issuing from said aperture will immediately enter the space intervening between the cartridge and retort and pass through said space to the remote point of communicationbetween the retort and the conduit; said flue, retort and cartridge being so associated that the cartridge is at no time subjected to any material heat except such as is communicated to it throu h the space intervening between said cartri ge and the enveloping retort and through the gases passin through said space.

6. Apparatus for pro ucing illuminatinggas from carbonaceous material having, in

combination, a retort; a gas-conduit communicating with said retort; means for heating said retort and conduit; means for closing the retort; a cartridge containing the carbonaceous material and constituting the carrier therefor, said cartridge being constructed so as to be received into said retort and when therein to have its outer surface spaced at some distance from the inner surface of the retort; said cartridge, when in the retort, communicating directly with the interior of the retort at a point remote from the point of communication between the retort and con duit, so that gases issuing from the cartridge will immediately enter the space intervening between the cartridge and retort and pass through said space and out of the retort by way of the conduit; the retort and cartridge being so associated that the cartridge is at no time subjected to any material heat except such as is communicated to it through the s ace intervening between the cartridge and t e enveloping retort and through the gases passing through said space.

CARL W. BILFINGER. Witnesses:

WILLIAM H. REID, ROBERT VALENTINE MATHEWS. 

